Actividades comunitarias

Biografía

I grew up in New Jersey and Massachusetts and attending college in Maine. After my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, I spent 3 years in service to my county in Togo, West Africa, with the Peace Corps. After returning, I settled in the Bay Area and launched my career in technology. I've lived in various parts of the Bay Area, settling in Albany in 2001. Always an environmentatlist, in 2003 I began my close involvement with the Sierra Club, first as an Outings Leader, and then in the Club leadership. In 2004, I began my service to the community with co-founding of Albany Strollers & Rollers, the bicyclist and pedestrian advocacy group. In 2006, I began my service to the City with stints on Commissions for 9 years. I've served as your City Council Member since 2014.

-supporting climate action by promoting the efforts of our Sustainability Committee and seeking the funding they need

-driving economic vitality by removing roadblocks to appropriate development projects

-addressing the housing crisis

-implementing a city-wide street tree plan

What do you consider the most important issue facing the city?

Respuesta de Nick Pilch:

There are many important issues to our city, but we will fail to be able to do much if we do not keep our cty econmically viable. This means removing roadblocks to smart development and doing what we can to help our local businesses, and making sure we are not missing out on any funding opportunties like grants.

How do you plan to balance the regional Planned Bay Area (ABAG/MTC) goals of Priority Development Areas (PDAs) with local needs of property owners, traffic/parking/congestion problems, and other local concerns?

Respuesta de Nick Pilch:

PDAs are a great tool for helping our city grow wisely - densely along the transit corridors. We are in a housing crisis and i believe increasing the housing stock is one key element to alleviating the housing pressure. Taking advantage of PDAs, and the grant opportunties and other opportunties they provide, is good for our City. Growth must also take into consideration the current property owners and their concerns. Stepping down building heights next to existing properties is one tool to use. Building housing along transit corridors means being able to build housing where occupants don't need that many cars. The northern San Pablo Avenue area is perfect for this due to its proximity to a BART station. Where parking might be a concern, however, the tool is residential parking permits.

Considering the disintegration of local infrastructure, how can the city upgrade to meet the current regulatory requirements for clean air and for clean water discharge into the Bay?

Respuesta de Nick Pilch:

The City is already under a consent decree to repair our sewer systems and we are makng good steady yearly progress towards repairing the entire network. On the City Council, I have made sure that staff has budgeted for this and continues this progress. Keeping our infrastructure up for alternative transportation is vital to clean air. I have long supported many bicycle and pedestrian projects in Albany and will continue to do so. On the ballot for November in Albany is a parcel tax for sidewalk repair, brought forward by an advocacy group that I co-founded. The tax is graduated to the size of the parcel - multi-family units and condominiums pay the least. This will help ensure that those who want to walk can - I'm especially concerned with our children, those with mobiliy issues and the elderly. Making sure that people can easily choose non-greenhouse-gas producing vehicles for their transport is important to me. That is also why I will push for electric vehicle charging stations in Albany should I be elected to a second term. We need to support those who choose plug-in vehicles.

Creencias poliza

Filosofía política

I believe in active leadership and support progressive causes. I'm an environmentalist, but also a supporter of smart growth. I support climate action, especially renewable energy and alternative tranportation. Finally I support social justice and believe we have a ways to go.